What does a TRUMP presidency look like?

[mongers]

I tried. Knowing how, apparently, powerful and dangerous trans people like me are, I knew I needed to turn it off and open a beer. I have to wonder, though: Was there any effort by Democrats to have a legit united effort to disrupt or protest this madness? I see a mish mash of clothing concepts, random signs, and one brave Congressperson who was escorted out. That's it. That is beyond disheartening to witness. How can we believe in them to fight for us? 

That's exactly what I was thinking, that someone or several of those congressmen need to stand and shout out/ shout him down, so what if a lot get thrown out. Polite, respectfulness towards the office has ended, by Trump's own behaviour.

[Sophie Scholl]

"I hope, Senator, after you've lost, and the Empire reigns over the galaxy unopposed, you will find some comfort in the knowledge that you fought according to the rules." — Saw Gerrera

[Valmy]

Heh. Old man Al Green got kicked out for annoying Trump during the speech. So you have elderly Texas Dems leading the charge.

[Sophie Scholl]

I wish he would have evened the historical score of Preston Brooks on his way out.

[Zoupa]

An old black man was the only one to really disrupt this. Jesus Christ. Black americans must be so exhausted, 300 years of this shit.

[Syt]

[HVC]

Guess that's what lutnik means by fair and reasonable.

[Tamas]

You have to admit one thing: Trump and his people play the media like a fiddle. There were all kinds of "leaks" about this speech, how it will moderate the tariffs and get back on track with Ukraine. All was BS to make everyone hang on every demented word he said.

[Syt]

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-officials-eye-tariff-relief-usmca-compliant-products-lutnick-says-2025-03-05/

Trump officials eye tariff relief for USMCA-compliant products, Lutnick says

WASHINGTON, March 4 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration is considering granting relief from his 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports to products that comply with the trade pact he negotiated with the two U.S. neighbors during his first term, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Tuesday.

Two sources familiar with discussions between the Trump administration and Canadian and Mexican officials said the talks are aimed at exemptions for companies that comply with the 2020 U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement's rules of origin, largely - but not exclusively - aimed at automakers.

Two automaker sources said one scenario would call for a 30-day exemption from the tariffs, but automakers would have to demonstrate plans to invest more in U.S. auto production to remain exempt.

Details of potential changes to the tariffs that took effect on Tuesday are far from agreed, the sources said. Trump will decide on any final deal, and since taking office, he has chosen to impose tariffs when given the option to back off.

The 25% levies on Mexican and Canadian goods create particular problems for automakers, who face massive cost increases for parts and vehicles produced in Mexico and Canada bound for the U.S. market.

An exemption from tariffs for cars and trucks that comply with USMCA's complex North American content rules for duty-free access to the U.S. market would be a boon for Detroit automakers Ford (F.N), opens new tab, General Motors (GM.N), opens new tab and Stellantis.

It also would benefit some foreign brand automakers with large U.S. production footprints, including Honda (7267.T), opens new tab and Toyota (7203.T), opens new tab, while forcing some competitors assembling cars in Mexico to pay the full 25% U.S. tariffs.

The deal under consideration would also eliminate the 10% tariff on Canadian energy imports, such as crude oil and gasoline, which comply with the USMCA rules of origin, one of the sources familiar with the talks said.

Lutnick, in an interview on Fox Business, said Trump was looking at the USMCA as a way to meet Canada and Mexico "in the middle some way."

"The president is considering giving you relief, if you live under those rules. And if you haven't lived under those rules, well, then you have got to pay the tariff," Lutnick said.

He said a potential arrangement could be announced on Wednesday, but added that Canada and Mexico "have got to do more" to end fentanyl overdose deaths in the United States, the rationale Trump has used for the tariffs.

Speaking to reporters after Trump's address to Congress at the U.S. Capitol, Lutnick said he thought there would be "some movement" on tariffs on Wednesday.

"It will not eliminate the tariffs, but it might modify the tariffs somewhat. That's a decision that will come tomorrow," Lutnick said.

The move would lift a huge burden from Detroit automakers, whose vehicles comply with USMCA's complex 75% North American content rules - requirements agreed by Trump during his first term to keep parts production in the region.

For full duty-free regional access, the rules also require 40% percent of a passenger car's content to be manufactured in the United States or Canada, based on a list of "core parts" including engines, transmissions, body panels and chassis components. The threshold for pickup trucks is 45%.

Ford, GM and Stellantis have been pressing Lutnick to exempt USMCA-compliant vehicles, while the United Auto Workers have pressed the administration to exempt key auto parts from tariffs that could slow auto production.

The Detroit Three held a virtual meeting last week with Lutnick to make the case, two sources briefed on the meeting said.

Trump, in his congressional address on Tuesday, said he had spoken to the top executives at the Detroit Three automakers that day and said tariffs and other policies will result in higher growth and "allow our auto industry to boom."

[Syt]

like a fiddle

It's one of those recurring Trump phrases I can't read without hearing his voice.

[HVC]

So exempt only the things that hurt the US economy? Great deal for canada, eh 

[crazy canuck]

I tried. Knowing how, apparently, powerful and dangerous trans people like me are, I knew I needed to turn it off and open a beer. I have to wonder, though: Was there any effort by Democrats to have a legit united effort to disrupt or protest this madness? I see a mish mash of clothing concepts, random signs, and one brave Congressperson who was escorted out. That's it. That is beyond disheartening to witness. How can we believe in them to fight for us? 

I watched it through the New York Times site and it had a number of reporters, tag on the speech on the fly. One of them commented that the democratic leadership had told everyone to simply sit there in silence so that they would not become the story.

They explained how the one Congressman who was ejected, was somewhat notorious for disobeying the directions of democratic leaders.

The adherence to norms is still dominating the Democrat's approach.


To paraphrase Sean Connery, don't bring a knife to a gun fight.

I regret watching it, now I can't sleep.

[Tamas]

One of them commented that the democratic leadership had told everyone to simply sit there in silence so that they would not become the story.

By ALL MEANS, avoid being seen. Especially avoid looking like they are fighting back against Trump.

Seriously, WTF is going on, why are the Dems already acting like Orban's opposition 10-years into his reign?

[Syt]

Especially since Trump won by a small margin, not in a landslide.

[dist]

The Democrats reactions are imo in line with how most Americans are reacting to the whole mess: with a certain apathy and the hope that someone else/the judiciary will step in.

Since we are not seeing millions in the streets protesting, I don't see why we should fault the Democrats for being so quiet and submissive.